Are you considering joining the U.S. Armed Forces?
Serving in the U.S. military is one of the most rewarding things you can do in your life.
If you are older and thinking about joining, you may wonder what the maximum allowable age is for enlistment.
This article breaks down the military age limits for 2023 by branch.
Table of Contents
Military Age Limits for 2023
What is the maximum allowable age for enlistment?
It depends on the military branch.
Furthermore, some military jobs have different age requirements depending on specific demands.
Here is a table that explains the basic age groups the United States Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy allow:
| Army | Navy | Air Force | Marine Corps | Coast Guard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Duty | 17 - 35 | 17 - 41 | 17 - 39 | 17 - 28 | 17 - 35 |
| Reserve | 17 - 35 | 17 - 41 | 17 - 39 | 17 - 28 | 17 - 40 |
| Guard | 17 - 35 | N/A | 17 - 39 | N/A | N/A |
| Service Academies | 17-23 | 17 - 23 | 17 - 23 | 17 - 23 | 17 - 22 |
Now, there is a LOT more to this than meets the eye.
For example, some jobs (such as flight officer) in the military have a different age cut-off.
Related Article: Which Branch Of The Military Should I Join? 7 Things To Consider
Additionally, it also depends on other factors, including:
- Whether you’re going for active duty or reserves.
- Whether or not you’ve previously served in the military.
- If you’re joining as an officer or enlisted.
Below, we explain in detail, the age limits for each branch of the military:
U.S. Army Age Limits
The United States Army has over 480,000 active-duty soldiers.
It is by far the largest military branch in terms of enrollment.
The second biggest branch (U.S. Navy) has more than 130,000 fewer active-duty service members.
Additionally, the Army National Guard contributes to another 330,000 personnel.
When you account for 180,000 Army Reservists as well as 300,000 civilian personnel, you have more than 1.2 million members.
Here are the minimum and maximum ages required to join the U.S. Army:
Enlisted
Minimum Age: 17 years old (with parental consent)
Maximum Age: 35 years old
Officer
Minimum Age: 18 years old
Maximum Age: Less than 31 years old*
*You must be under 31 in the year of your commissioning as an officer.
Army Reserves Age Limits
The minimum and maximum ages for the Army Reserves and National Guard are the same:
Enlisted
Minimum Age: 17 years old (with parental consent)
Maximum Age: 35 years old
Officer
Minimum Age: 18 years old
Maximum Age: 31 years old
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U.S. Navy Age Limits
The United States Navy is an impressive fleet, even if it’s only the second-biggest military branch in the country.
The U.S. Navy has over 340,000 active duty seamen.
It also has a very large reserve component with more than 57,000 personnel.
The Navy employs close to 195,000 civilian workers.
Here are the minimum and maximum ages required to join the U.S. Navy:
Enlisted
Minimum Age: 17 years old (with parental consent)
Maximum Age: 41 years old
Officer
Minimum Age: 19 years old
Maximum Age: Less than 42 years old*
*Depends on officer specialty. Waivers are sometimes granted for high-demand positions, such as Information Systems Technicians or Nuclear Operations.
Navy Reserves Age Limits
Here are the minimum and maximum ages required to join the U.S. Navy (Reserves):
Enlisted
Minimum Age: 17 years old
Maximum Age: 41 years old
Officer
Minimum Age: 18 years old
Maximum Age: 42 years old
Related Article: 41 Questions To Ask A Military Recruiter
U.S. Air Force Age Limits
The United States Air Force has over 320,000 active-duty airmen.
It also employs 108,000 Air National Guard and an additional 70,000 reservists.
Lastly, the U.S. Air Force has over 145,000 civilian employees.
The military branch is third in terms of active enrollment behind the Army and Navy.
Here are the minimum and maximum ages required to join the U.S. Air Force:
Enlisted
Minimum Age: 17 years old (with parental consent)
Maximum Age: 39 years old
Officer
Minimum Age: 18 years old
Maximum Age: 39 years old*
*Certain healthcare-related or ministry jobs allow you to be up to 48 years of age.
Air Force Reserves Age Limits
The Air Force has similar minimum and maximum age limits as active duty service:
Enlisted
Minimum Age: 18 years old
Maximum Age: 39 years old
Officer
Minimum Age: 18 years old
Maximum Age: 39 years old*
*Certain healthcare-related or ministry jobs allow you to be up to 48 years of age.
U.S. Marine Corps Age Limits
The United States Marine Corps has 180,000 active duty service members.
It’s a competitive military branch to join and the second smallest.
Additionally, the Marine Corps utilizes 36,000 reserve personnel.
The Marine Corps has straightforward rules for their age limits:
Enlisted
Minimum Age: 17 years old (with parental consent)
Maximum Age: 28 years old
Officer
Minimum Age: 20 years old
Maximum Age: 28 years old
Marine Corps Reserves Age Limits
The minimum and maximum age limits for the Marine Corps Reserve are the same as the active-duty counterpart:
Enlisted
Minimum Age: 17 years old (with parental consent)
Maximum Age: 28 years old
Officer
Minimum Age: 20 years old
Maximum Age: 28 years old
U.S. Coast Guard Age Limits
The United States Coast Guard has over 41,000 active-duty personnel.
There is a small reserve fraction of approximately 7,800 members.
The Coast Guard also employs a sizable civilian workforce.
Overall, the U.S. Coast Guard is the smallest of the military branches (not counting the recently created Space Force).
Here are the minimum and maximum ages required to join the U.S. Coast Guard:
Enlisted
Minimum Age: 17 years old (with parental consent)
Maximum Age: 42 years old
Officer
Minimum Age: 21 years old (with parental consent)
Maximum Age: 36 – 41 years old*
*Age limits for commissioning depending on career field.
Coast Guard Reserves Age Limits
Here are the minimum and maximum age limits:
Enlisted
Minimum Age: 17 years old (with parental consent)
Maximum Age: 42 years old
Officer
Minimum Age: 17 years old
Maximum Age: 40 years old
Related Article: 20 Reasons to Join the Military (and 7 reasons not to)
Conclusion
The military age limits for 2023 provide a framework for how many years you have to enlist before it’s too late.
The U.S. Armed Forces cap the age you are allowed to join because of intense physical demands.
Before you enlist, you should consult with family and friends about the critical decision.
You can also speak to a local military recruiter for more information about what you need to do before boot camp, or officer training school, to qualify.
References
- https://www.goarmy.com/learn/army-requirements-and-qualifications.html
- https://www.airforce.com/frequently-asked-questions/physical/what-are-the-height-and-weight-requirements-to-join-the-air-force
- https://www.gocoastguard.com/faq/what-are-the-qualifications-to-join-the-coast-guard
- https://www.marines.com/becoming-a-marine/enlisted.html
- https://www.navy.com/joining-navy-if-you-havent-served
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
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